What is this stuff and how do I get rid of it?

Vmazz · 03/27/2018, 04:52 PM

As of today, These rust colored dots started to appear all over my tank, it hasn’t been running for long and I only have one fish which seems healthy. I have chaeto in the back of the tank which has started to die off. Can anyone help?

Bruce51 · 03/27/2018, 04:59 PM

Pics?

AlSimmons · 03/27/2018, 05:01 PM

Sounds like Diatoms. The link below might help.

https://www.reefcleaners.org/nuisance-algae-id-guide

j.falk · 03/27/2018, 07:38 PM

If the Chaeto is dying...remove it. You don't want it polluting your water.

Vmazz · 03/29/2018, 01:19 PM

Here is a picture

Vmazz · 03/29/2018, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlSimmons

Sounds like Diatoms. The link below might help.

https://www.reefcleaners.org/nuisance-algae-id-guide

Thank you!

j.falk · 03/29/2018, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vmazz

Here is a picture

Yep, looks like diatoms...it's a good sign that your tank is moving in the right direction.

mcgyvr · 03/29/2018, 05:06 PM

yep.. totally normal diatoms..
Chaeto is potentially lacking sufficient nutrients.. maybe light.. (you didn't give us much info to go by)..

Vmazz · 04/03/2018, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

yep.. totally normal diatoms..
Chaeto is potentially lacking sufficient nutrients.. maybe light.. (you didn't give us much info to go by)..

I removed the chaeto because it was probably releasing the phosphates and nitrates back into the water. I had a strong light on it, maybe it was too much. I will try to put more in once the tank starts to mature a little more and gets going. Other then phosphates, nitrates, and light, what else does chaeto need, this was probably the problem.

Vmazz · 04/03/2018, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j.falk

If the Chaeto is dying...remove it. You don't want it polluting your water.

Thanks

ramseynb · 04/04/2018, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vmazz

I removed the chaeto because it was probably releasing the phosphates and nitrates back into the water. I had a strong light on it, maybe it was too much. I will try to put more in once the tank starts to mature a little more and gets going. Other then phosphates, nitrates, and light, what else does chaeto need, this was probably the problem.

Iron will help it but you have to be careful since it will also help other algae.

homer1475 · 04/04/2018, 03:40 AM

The chaeto died because there isn't enough available nutrients for it to grow. The tank is to new basically. Let it run for a bit, once you add a couple fish, wait a bit longer, then retry the chaeto.

nereefpat · 04/04/2018, 07:20 AM

Just to add:

SOMETHING has to grow on those white rocks. Brown diatoms first, then maybe cyano, then maybe green hair, and eventually green and purple coralline algae and sponges, etc.

Vmazz · 04/04/2018, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nereefpat

Just to add:

SOMETHING has to grow on those white rocks. Brown diatoms first, then maybe cyano, then maybe green hair, and eventually green and purple coralline algae and sponges, etc.

Funny you said that, I thought that the rocks turn purple over time and I had no clue what Coralline algae was. So I started reading and found out you must add coralline algae because it is a hitchhiker. So just yesterday I ordered coralline algae spores in the mail and they should be here soon.

Vmazz · 04/04/2018, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ramseynb

Iron will help it but you have to be careful since it will also help other algae.

Thanks

Vmazz · 04/04/2018, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homer1475

The chaeto died because there isn't enough available nutrients for it to grow. The tank is to new basically. Let it run for a bit, once you add a couple fish, wait a bit longer, then retry the chaeto.

Thank you! Once I get a mantis shrimp in there it should start producing a ton of nutrients and I will try chaeto again.

thinhn1 · 04/06/2018, 11:30 PM

Every new tank gets those. Just give it a few months

03/27/2018, 04:52 PM	#1
Vmazz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 50	What is this stuff and how do I get rid of it? As of today, These rust colored dots started to appear all over my tank, it hasn’t been running for long and I only have one fish which seems healthy. I have chaeto in the back of the tank which has started to die off. Can anyone help?

03/29/2018, 05:06 PM	#8
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	yep.. totally normal diatoms.. Chaeto is potentially lacking sufficient nutrients.. maybe light.. (you didn't give us much info to go by).. __________________ Who me?

04/04/2018, 03:40 AM	#12
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	The chaeto died because there isn't enough available nutrients for it to grow. The tank is to new basically. Let it run for a bit, once you add a couple fish, wait a bit longer, then retry the chaeto. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

04/04/2018, 07:20 AM	#13
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	Just to add: SOMETHING has to grow on those white rocks. Brown diatoms first, then maybe cyano, then maybe green hair, and eventually green and purple coralline algae and sponges, etc. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

03/27/2018, 04:59 PM	#2
Bruce51 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: reno, nv Posts: 201	Pics?

03/27/2018, 05:01 PM	#3
AlSimmons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: California Posts: 2,482	Sounds like Diatoms. The link below might help. https://www.reefcleaners.org/nuisance-algae-id-guide

03/27/2018, 07:38 PM	#4
j.falk Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 632	If the Chaeto is dying...remove it. You don't want it polluting your water.

04/06/2018, 11:30 PM	#17
thinhn1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 18	Every new tank gets those. Just give it a few months